Full and down. A vessel is said to be “full and down” when loaded in such a way that upon sailing she is down to her loadline marks-each winter, summer or tropical loadline whilst the cargo space has been fully utilised. Unless rates of freight for heavy and light cargo vary considerably, best results, from a revenue standpoint, are obtained by loading a ship full and down. To achieve this result, a proper ratio between light and heavy cargo must be determined, which depends on the type and quantity of cargo available.

Force majeure clause. This expression covers events which are completely unforeseeable and which excuse both sides to a contract from carrying out their obligations under the contract.

Feeder services. When a liner operator provides carriage of goods by sea from major ports, he may not be able to call in at smaller, less busy ports to pick up or drop cargo.

Free of capture and seizure clause. Under the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls) 1983 “War Exclusion Clause” a vessel is not covered against the consequences of hostilities or warlike operations whether there be a declaration of war or not. The complete clause reads as follows:

Free surface effect. A tank which is completely filled with liquid is said to be pressed up”, while one which is not is called a “slack tank”.

Fixing letter. As soon as the negotiations about the chartering of a vessel have resulted in the "fixture" of a ship, a "fixing letter" may be drawn up containing a summary of the main terms and conditions of the charterparty.

Feeders - Grain. When grain was carried in bulk, feeders were erected to feed the different parts of the holds or compartments, thereby filling any free space which might result from settling of cargo during the voyage. Grain in bulk may settle as much as 5 per cent during a voyage; therefore, measures had to be taken to prevent the shifting of grain because of the settling and the void spaces created.

Firm For Reply or Firm for Immediate Reply. During chartering negotiations, telexes and similar messages are transmitted by one parry's brokers to brokers for the other party using introductoryterminology such as these terms. In chartering practice, such terminology has become common and acceptable to most, if not all, shipping professionals.

Free from incumbrances. Sale contracts of ships usually contain the proviso “free from incumbrances” which implies that the vessel is free from any mortgage or other debt.

FIOT(Free in and out - and trimmed).

Fumigation. When the vessel has rats or other vermin on board, and also infestation from cargo, these undesirable elements must be eliminated. This is done by fumigation. Some fumigation agents may be toxic for humans.

FCL (Full container load). This expression refers to a consignment from a shipper which will occupy the entire container. The freight rates are generally lower for FCL shipments compared to LCL or “Less than container load” (i.e., break bulk cargo) that has to be loaded into a container.

Certificate of free pratique. This is a certificate from the port-health-authorities that the ship is without infectious disease or plague on board and therefore permitted to enter port and to allow people to board and disembark.

FHINC (Fridays and holidays included).

Flag of Registry. The flag which is displayed usually on the stern of the vessel is like an indicator or "badge" of the vessel's national identity or nationality.